Lap top not picking internet

[Shwangman]

I have two PC's and a lap top all working fine until a week ago and now the lap top won't connect to wireless unless I unplug the router cable and go direct, is the only way I can get the internet. Some one told me, maybe I have a bad wireless card but I would not even know what to look for or where to buy. Is this something I will probably have to take into to best buy?? Ticks me off, 14 months old, so its 2 months out of warranty.

Thanks

[jwhjr]

This happens to mine occasionally. There are 2 reasons in my situation that it happens. I have my wireless router set up to not broadcast the SSID, and to only allow specific MAC addresses to access the network. For whatever reason, once and awhile my laptop can't see the network anymore. To fix that, I temporarily broadcast the SSID, and once the laptop picks it up I disable the broadcast again. The second thing I have to do about once every couple of months when it doesn't work is to unplug the power from the wireless router for about 30 seconds and plug it back in. It works again after that. I have a Linksys router that I've had for about 4 yrs now and these are the only 2 "issues" I've had with it. Good luck!

[CadCruzer]

Check to see if your lap top has a manual switch to turn your wireless assistant on and off. I have bumped mine off a few times. The icon that tells you that it is on or off only shows up for about a second, so it is easy to miss.

[upnorth]

Let's start simple. Make sure that the wireless card is not turned off. Most laptop have a button that turns the wireless off and on. Also right click on the my computer icon and go to manage and then device manager and make sure the wireless card is not disabled. If all that checks out go to your wireless setting and redo your wireless setup.

I am guessing something in those items listed will be the issue.

[Sandmannd]

I would gow tith Upnoorth's post. Start witht he simple. If it was connected before it has to be either something simple or your card did die.

[Shwangman]

Thanks Guys, I will give all these ideas a shot.

[theoilman]

I have had a couple of similar problems. First of all power down your router, wait, and turn it back on. I would also restart your computer while doing it. I have had problems with the addresses between my router and computer and rebooting both seems to solve it.

I've had problems with my wireless getting slow - rebooting my computer seemed to help for a while. But the fix was taking it back to Best Buy and the 'Geek Squad' updated my wireless router driver and it hasn't given me any problems since. I wouldn't buy any laptop with less than the 3 year warranty. It's a little more expensive but well worth it.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I agree with UpNorth, Cad, and jw.

About once per month I have to go and reboot the router, running a Belkin Pre-N.

[Shwangman]

I have got around to trying anything yet but again thanks for the pointers.

Ken

[snoozebutton]

I have had a couple of similar problems. First of all power down your router, wait, and turn it back on. I would also restart your computer while doing it.

That's what I do (D-Link router) and it always works. Also there should be a reset on the back of the router, make sure you hit that.

[Shwangman]

Do I just unplug the router from the outlet or ? I probably should unplug everything and wait and the replug back in?

[jwhjr]

I just unplug the power from the back of the router.

[Surface Tension]

Are you using the software that came with your router? If so you'll need to us that to connect, its probably sitting in your task bar. Open it up and go through the steps.

[Shwangman]

Not sure about, i will have to get a hold of the person who hooked the router up.I know I get pop ups from the Linksys router so i would say yes but, I have not seen that for some time.

THANKS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!